#437
Origin of a Species: Part Two
OCTOBER YEAR 2

By Tim Hartin

Reed Richards' laboratory located under Pier Four surrounded by the waters of the harbour.

A few fish swim past the large reinforced windows of Reed's laboratory. The peacefulness of the surrounding waters contrast with the tension inside the lab. Reed works frantically with his scanners and computers. He looks up from his work to smile at his son who lies prone on a high tech examining table.

The table fits naturally with Franklin's little form. A series of opaque half-rings line the top of the table and rest just slightly over Franklin's prone form. Attached to the base of the table are a series of cables that run to the various scientific monitors.

Reed stretches an arm across the lab to fetch some machine readouts, while continuously studying the sensors on the monitor. "Preliminary scans show Franklin's power levels to be within all safety boundaries. Hmmm… these voices don't seem to be a product of Franklin's powers."

Susan Richards sets next to the scanning table. She holds Franklin's hand. She doesn't like subjecting Franklin to these battery of tests… but she knows there is no other way of doing this. "It's okay darling. Your father is almost done."

"I know," responds Franklin. Franklin's eyes still glow a soft white colour as they did in the hangar when the Fantastic Four had returned from the destruction of Alicia Masters' studio-apartment. * "You have to help Aunty Lesha, mommy. Her baby is very scared."

[*It happened Last Issue - FF #436]

"Are you talking to her baby now, Franklin?" asks Reed Richards. He knows that usually the manifestation of Franklin's powers usually leads to catastrophe. It isn't every day that a small god lives in the form of a five year old.

"No daddy. Aunty Lesha's baby is talking to me. She is calling to me… help her daddy… mommy... please." pleads a shaken five year old. "Her cries are starting to scare me."

"Don't worry son," soothes Reed. "You are safe here. Your mother or I will never let anything happen to you. That is a promise. Besides…" pauses Reed as he studies his latest readouts. "We are going to go flying in that shuttle I revamped after this is all over." Reed turns off his scanning table and turns to face his son. "That's it. All over. Why don't you go with mommy."

With a soft click, the opaque half rings open. Susan Richards brushes Franklin's hair from out of his soft glowing eyes. "Why don't we go up to the kitchen and get some hot cocoa."

"Franklin's eyes dim to their almost normal appearance. The more relax he is the more normal he appears. "Will Uncle Johnny help make it?" he asks.

Susan smiles. "I'm sure he'll lend a finger to the cause. Lets go for some fantastic hot cocoa." Sue walks to the elevator with Franklin. She holds his hand tight and doesn't want to let go. The elevator opens and the Thing comes charging blindly out narrowly missing both Sue and Franklin.

Sue doesn't move and to the Thing's surprise he is shunted to the side to make room for them. Sue releases her force field as she enters the elevator with Franklin. As the doors are closing she looks at Ben, "Next time watch were you are charging." The doors close and the elevator is on its way.

"Sorry, Suzie," mutters the Thing under his breath. He has been short tempered and brutish ever since they got back late last night. He doesn't mean to be rude to her or the kid but his mind is on Alicia. He needs to find out if she is alive. His world won't be the same again until he knows for sure. He could only wait for so long. Benjamin Grimm hasn't slept yet and that has made him even more irritable than normal. "What is the score, stretcho? Any luck in findin' out if Alicia is alive?"

"Scans on the Psitronic energy scale have been detected. We have to take Franklin's word that it is Alicia's baby. Her baby shouldn't be even near these power levels… especially for someone only a month pregnant. But nonetheless someone is communicating with Franklin. I think it is safe to assume that if Alicia's baby is alive then she must be also. I'm going to rig up a device to track the Psitronic energy and we'll just simply follow the energy trail to its source."

"Fancy talk but where's the action?" asks a surly Thing. "If you can trace the mental conference call… then lets get goin'!"

"Not so fast Ben," comments Reed as he downloads his data into the various other computer systems of his laboratory. "I'll need the appropriate time to analysis the Psitronic energy to make sure the appropriate calibrations have been made. It isn't easy to follow a psionic trail but I am determined to do it. It'll take approximately a hour to set up the appropriate devices. Then we can go and rescue Alicia, Ben."

"What do ya mean a hour?!? screams an angered Thing. "We have ta find Alicia now!" The Thing grabs some of the lab equipment and turns it into a giant pretzel. He starts a frenzy path of destruction.

Mr. Fantastic stretches his body around Ben in hopes to confine his rage. "Please Ben. Remain calm. I can't have you destroying equipment indiscriminately here. I have need of all of this equipment if you want me to track Alicia. I'm sorry Ben that it will take time… But at least it is a start."

"Some start," mumbles the Thing. "I'll get out of your hair and let you do your work. I'll be in the gymnasium having a workout. I need to crush something." Ben walks to the elevator and leaves the laboratory.

"Poor Ben," comments Reed to himself. "The sooner we find Alicia, the sooner you'll get out of that dark emotional cloud of yours and be back to normal." Reed pauses for a second before he turns towards his lab equipment. "I don't know what I would do if I lost Sue… or Franklin for that matter." Reed dismisses the thought of it and goes to work.

10:19 am, Monday morning.

Upstairs in the main living quarters of the Fantastic Four.

A large living room rests next to a small sleek kitchen. Franklin sits on a small chair as he watches his Uncle Johnny make some hot cocoa. He always loves Johnny's hot cocoa. Johnny Storm stands in the kitchen holding a mug with one hand and using his other hand to create a flame to heat it up. "There you go, Franklin. One Fantastic Four hot cocoa special for one special Fantastic Four nephew." Johnny passes the mug to Franklin.

Franklin sips on the hot cocoa. He is always fascinated by how hot the cocoa is but the mug is cool to the touch. He just loves the things his daddy invents, such neat toys. Franklin hopes that he can grow up to be like his daddy… he wonders if he'll be a hero like his daddy someday. He feels someone put their gentle hand on his shoulder and he looks up into his smiling mother's face. Franklin smiles and continues to drink his cocoa. Franklin's eyes have reverted back to their normal blue colour.

"So tell me more about this girl you've met, Johnny" asks a curious older sister. She is always curious about Johnny's dates… even when she feigns the occasional disinterest. "What's she like?"

"Her name is A'kimba and she is the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Every time I look into her deep brown eyes I find myself lost in them." swoons a cloud nine Johnny Storm. He pauses and sighs. "I also feel terrible cause of what Ben is going through. I just found my greatest happiness and poor Ben… I hope Reed finds something soon."

At that moment the Thing walks through the living area. He is dressed only in a pair of dark blue trunks. His orange rocky hide clashes with the dark blue colour of his trunks. The Thing takes just one look at Johnny and his red Fantastic Four uniform, "Sheesh. Ya lookin' more like a match stick every day. I see ya have your head in the clouds again. Another girlie?"

"She isn't another girlie. She's someone special." responds Johnny rather defensively. He can feel another one of their little arguments starting to brew up. Johnny figures that is maybe what the Thing needs to knock him out of his mood. He lets a small fireball lose in the Thing's direction. "This match stick still has enough flame to take you on."

The Thing swats at the flame ball and it easily disperses in the air. "Not now, match stick. I'm not in the mood. Besides, Stretcho says it'll take him a hour to ring up some sort of device to track Alicia. I recommend that you spend that time with your girlie…" The Thing pauses. "You never know when you might lose her…" The Thing's gravel like voice trails off. "I'm on my way to the gymnasium for a workout. I plan to get some clobbering practice in while I wait to do the same to those who have Alicia. Thought ya might want to know." The Thing turns and heads for the gymnasium.

"This is going to be the longest hour in the books." comments Johnny as he watches the Thing walk down the hall. If Johnny didn't know better, he would swear that the Thing actually looked a lot smaller than he really is.

"Don't worry… we'll be on our way soon enough." Sue ruffles Franklin's hair. He has finished his cocoa and is now watching the teletubies on television. "So what are you waiting for?"

"What?" asks Johnny.

"I think you should take Ben's advice. After all, we have only a hour." Sue sits next to Franklin and watches television with her son.

"Be back soon." Johnny taps his belt buckle and the skylight windows overhead open up. Johnny's red costume bursts into flames as he flies out of the living room.

"Flame ON!" yells Franklin as he jumps into the air with one hand held high. His face is beaming as he watches his uncle fly into the Manhattan sky.

Sue just smiles to herself as she watches her son's joy. Sue picks up the phone and makes a quick call. "Hello, Jennifer. It's Sue. Can you come over here… I think someone needs talking to." Sue listens to the conversation on the other end and then hangs up the phone. Her mind drifts to Alicia. She hopes they can rescue her in time. She guesses they'll know in a hour.

The Nares Deep on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, just over 1200 miles from New York City.

A long cylindrical ships rests in the natural cover of the Nares Deep. Its dark silvery-green hide glistens in the otherwise murky depths of the Atlantic Ocean. The light from the surface doesn't normally reach this deep in the ocean, but still this strange alien ship seems to naturally produce a soft glow around it. Several small bubbles trickle out of the far end of the ship… almost as if it was breathing.

The interior of the alien ship known as the Polyp to its strange inhabitants.

The laboratory is large and oval. The walls are dark green and organic in nature. Strange cables run the length of the ceiling from room to room. These are more like veins than cables. In the centre of the laboratory are several spheres supported by thick organic branches that dangle from the ceiling. Underneath each dangling sphere is a small ring of organic controls. Three of the ship's inhabitants study a floating figure inside one particular sphere.

The naked pregnant form of Alicia Masters floats in the oxygenated liquid of the sphere. She is obviously almost due. Many thin black tentacles run from Alicia's body to the inner walls of the sphere. She feels the panic reaching critical levels as she drifts in some sort of liquid cut off from the rest of the world outside. In Alicia's sensory depravation, her mind screams… until a soothing soft voice tells her to remain calm. Alicia doesn't know why but she trusts this voice. In some ways, it reminds her of her mother's voice. The voice tells her that help is on its way. Alicia regains control of herself and she concentrates on the thought of Ben coming and rescuing her.

Outside of the sphere, the three humanoid figures manipulate their controls and study Alicia's body's reactions. These inhabitants are humanoid with emerald-black skin. They have elongated heads with large black oval eyes. Their bellies pulsate in multicolour hues with each word of their alien language. Their arms are long and thin as is their fingers.

The first alien runs his lanky fingers across a few controls. The controls respond with appropriate colours. The aliens all watch the sphere. Alicia's body begins to shake. The first alien speaks, "[Harvesting is almost ready. Soon our Avatamsaka Drive shall be at full capacity. Then we may travel the Void and bring our fellow hatchlings back to the MotherOcean.]"

The alien scientists continue to fidget with the various controls. A column rises from the control ring and attaches itself to the bottom of the dangling sphere. "[This terrestrial host is almost at prime sequencing. Prepare for harvesting procedures.]"

10:29 am. Pier Four gymnasium.

SMASH! What was left of a robot flies across the room as the Thing bashes another against the wall. He turns to face six more approaching robots. They are all silver giants about seven feet tall with evil looking spikes along their shoulders. 'Not even this football line from hell can get my mind off Alicia.' thinks the Thing to himself.

'If she wasn't involved with me then maybe she wouldn't be in this mess the first place,' reflects the Thing as he grabs a robot in each hand and smashes them together. Many pieces of metal dance across the floor. 'Its bad enough that being the Thing causes me enough problems… but then I go and do the same to those that I love.'

The Thing is lost in his thoughts as he fails to notice a green fist come out of nowhere and place a right hook on him. "What the!?!" The Thing turns to see a tall emerald amazonian beauty standing before him. He doesn't believe his eyes… it is the She Hulk and she is dressed to rumble. Her athletic muscular frame is enhanced by the blue and white jumpsuit she is wearing. It reminds Ben of her old Fantastic Four costume in some ways.

"Shulkie! I thought ya went back to your law practice. What are ya doin' here?" asks a bewildered Thing.

"Lets just say a little birdie told me that you needed a proper talking to," smiles She Hulk as she walks closer to Ben. "Since Bruce is busy, I might as be the one to give it to you." The She Hulk takes a quick swing at the Thing. She connects with an upper cut and it knocks the Thing back a few feet.

"Why you… woman or no… I'll teach ya a lesson you'll never forget…" boasts the Thing as he quickly regains his footing and returns a few punches of his own. His temper, and even his need to let loose some steam, takes over.

"What's wrong with you, Ben? I've seen old ladies fight better than you." taunts the She Hulk. "You seem distracted." She lands in a few more punches.

"I'm not distracted enough to kick your tail." The Thing continues his punch blow after blow at the She Hulk.

"It's Alicia isn't it?" asks the She Hulk as she ducks the Thing's punch to return one of her own. "You know that Reed will do everything in his power to find her."

"Geez… now I have you lecturing me. Let me teach you a lesson… It's Clobberin' Time!" The Thing slams his weight into the She Hulk and knocks her back into the wall.

The She Hulk pulls herself out of the wall, leaving her impression still in it. "Or does your behaviour have something to do with Alicia's pregnancy?"

At the mention of Alicia's pregnancy, the Thing looses it. He charges at the She Hulk. The battling punches between the two combatants sound like mountains being destroyed. Two titans battle it out while ignoring the previous program's robots. These robots quickly turn from attackers to mere pawns in the Thing's and She Hulk's battle.

The She Hulk grabs a robot and hurls it at the Thing from across the room. "It is about time you came out of that orange shell of yours!" The robot explodes as it collides with the Thing's chest. A small cloud of dark smoke and showering sparks surround the Thing.

"Ya got to do better than that," mumbles the gravel sounding voice of the Thing. He walks through the small cloud of robot debris towards She Hulk. "Listen sister… I've taken better shots from your cousin…" the Thing slows his advance when he sees the reaction on the She Hulk's face.

The She Hulk, also known as Jennifer Walters (an ex-member of both the Fantastic Four and the Avengers), has dropped her guard as she suddenly grabs her ribs in laughter. She tries to repress the smile but she can't. From her point of view the Thing made it out of that little explosion without a scratch… unfortunately the same couldn't be said for his dark blue trunks.

The Thing temper still flares as he watches and listens to the She Hulk laugh… at least it does until Benjamin Grimm, a.k.a. The Thing, suddenly feels a small draft. At first his mind blocks out the unthinkable… but unfortunately She Hulk's laughter doesn't allow Ben that luxury. He quickly covers his exposed hide with his hands. "Ahhh geez… how can I stay mad with you laughing like that…"

"I think next time you should stick with unstable molecules." comments the She Hulk as she refrains her laughter. "Of course I can't say it's been all bad… at least from my point of view."

"Very funny. Enough with the laughing now." commands the Thing as he wraps a towel around his waist. On the way out of the door, he pauses… "And thanks Shulkie. You're a lot cuter to tangle with than your cousin." Then the Things walks out of the door on his search for a new pair of trunks.

"My pleasure, Ben." The She Hulk smiles a large smile as she to leaves the Pier Four Gymnasium. "I am glad that Sue gave me that call. But I better get back to work with the rest of Fantastic Force."

10: 35 am. The East Side.

Johnny walks through the hall towards apartment number three. He stops at the door and goes to knock but pauses. 'Come on Johnny… You don't have all day. Reed will be ready in less than a hour.' Johnny swallows the lump in his throat and knocks on the door.

The door opens to reveal a small black man with short grey hair and beard. His clothing is casual… a shirt and slacks. He is smoking a pipe and he holds a newspaper in one hand. "Come in my boy. Come in. Don't be shy… Akimba has told me all about you." A'kimba's father shows Johnny into the small but elegant apartment.

"Thank you Mr…" Johnny pauses. His heart starts to beat even faster. He just realized that he never asked Akimba her father's name! Johnny stares at him dumbfounded. He hasn't felt this awkward in a long time.

"Johnny!" shouts A'kimba as she walks into the living room. She is dressed in a t-shirt and jean overalls. She winks at him as she continues to dry her hair with a towel. "This is a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"How about you introduce us properly, dear." mentions A'kimba's father. He has taken a seat at the table and has spread out his newspaper.

"I'm sorry, father." A'kimba turns to her father and makes the appropriate introductions. "Father, this is Johnny Storm… who you also know as the Human Torch." She smiles sweetly at Johnny. "Johnny, this is my father, Moyo Lumumba." Quick introductions are exchanged.

Johnny smiles back at A'kimba. "I'm sorry to barge in like this but I was wondering if you wanted to go for a brief flight? I remember promising you one last night but then we were rudely interrupted."

A'kimba hesitates and then looks at her father. "I'm sorry Johnny but I promised father that I would help him with his research."

"Don't be silly, girl. Go with your young friend. I can handle the research notes," insists Moyo. "Besides, I have to go back to the lab and run a few more tests. Professor Andrews was asking about some of my calculations. Go and have fun, dear. Leave the work to me."

A'kimba gives her father a big hug and a kiss. "Thank you father. I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"Just go now! I don't think your young friend has too much time." observes Moyo as he watches Johnny shift from one foot to another.

Johnny stops his fidgeting once he realizes that all eyes are on him. He smiles and runs a hand through his hair. Johnny's slight nervousness disappears as he sees A'kimba smile back at him.

"I'll change and we can get going." states A'kimba. She disappears into her room for a brief moment. When she returns, all Johnny can do is whistle.

"You always look beautiful to me." Johnny reaches out and takes A'kimba's hand. "Don't worry Mr. Mumumba, your daughter is in safe hands."

"Now you kids shoo… I have work to do and you're keeping me from it." Moyo feigns annoyance, rather badly actually. But he doesn't care. He is just glad his daughter has met someone as respected as a member of the Fantastic Four. This would be a great honour in his native country of Wakanda. He misses Wakanda, especially the clean fresh air. No other air smells as sweet as the air in Wakanda. New York air makes him sick. As Johnny and A'kimba leave, Moyo continues to smile. Unknown to the love birds… Moyo's mind had already drifted to his research.

Johnny holds A'kimba in his arms while his lower body burns bright in an orange-red flame as they fly through the Manhattan sky. He looks at A'kimba's exuberant face. He can tell she is enjoying this flight immensely. "Your father seems like a nice fellow. But he does remind me of Reed in some ways…"

"Really?" responds A'kimba. "Father would take that as a great honour."

Johnny chuckles at the notion. He quickly changes the subject. "A'kimba… you know I have never met anyone just like you before."

"I could say the same about you, Mr. Storm." laughs A'kimba. "Now will you shut up and kiss me."

"Now there is a woman after my own heart," jokes Johnny as he returns A'kimba's passionate kiss. "Wow! You certainly turn up my flame."

"Now I understand why you're such hot stuff. What are you doing tonight?" asks A'kimba as she has lost sight of the amazing surroundings and all she can see now is Johnny's eyes.

Johnny sighs. "I afraid I have to head back to Pier Four soon. Reed should be done his gizmo and ready to go rescue Alicia. I'm not sure how long that is going to take. That is why I had to see you before I left."

A'kimba runs a finger down Johnny's cheek. "You be careful Johnny Storm. You better come back to me in one piece. I'll ask the sacred Panther totem to protect you."

"Your heart is the only protection that I need."

A'kimba smiles. "Then take my heart Johnny Storm and I'll take yours. And together we are one."

"I better get back… how would you like to visit Pier Four before I leave for the unknown?"

"That would be wonderful, Johnny. Do you think the others would mind? If there is anything I can do… you just have to ask."

Johnny smiles as he turns his flight direction and he heads home to Pier Four. A'kimba rests her head on Johnny's shoulder as she is cradled in his arms. "How would you like to baby-sit?" asks Johnny as he flies through the sky.

Interlude 1: An Inhuman Struggle…

A hidden castle fortress in the southern jungles of Wakanda.

Maximus struggles and screams as he is dragged towards a series of panels at a far stone wall. In each panel is a captured member of the Inhuman Royal Family. The wall is some six panels long. Maximus' eyes rest briefly on the center panels which hold, Karnak and Medusa, as he struggles with his own captors. Maximus screams in Tilan*, "[Unhand me! I am the rightful sovereign of Attilan! You must unhand me! I command you to do so!]"

[*Tilan is the native Inhuman language]

The two identical Alpha Primitives, androgynous humanoid work drones, laugh at Maximus' feeble threats. At closer inspection the two Alpha Primitives don't seem all too identical. Each Alpha Primitive has his head and shoulders covered in elaborate coloured tattoos. It is as if each Alpha Primitive were expressing their own identities. "[You do not scare us inhuman. We have been touched by the spirit of Omega* … We are the Alpha Omegas! And his vengeance shall reign down upon Attilan!]"

[*Omega was an android created by the Alpha Primitives and powered by the subconscious guilt of the inhumans… see Fantastic Four #131-132]

Maximus slips free of the powerful grip of the Alpha Omegas. He runs ahead a few feet and then abruptly stops. The two Alpha Omegas walk slowly towards the immobile Maximus. Both Alpha Omegas have eyes that burn like twin suns. Their eyes flare in a multihued spectrum. "You cannot escape us. Your puny mind is no match for ours!"

'That may be the case if I do not find allies!' contemplates Maximus as he looks ahead since that is all he can do. Maximus does the only thing he can think of. He stares into the eyes of Karnak and then Medusa. He expands his mind and takes control of both inhumans.

Before the Alpha Omegas can react… one is smashed into the wall by many strands of red hair. The other Alpha Omega is quickly knocked unconscious as Karnak strikes with unerring accuracy. Maximus feels his strength return to his limbs. "[Excellent. Now it is time to get away from here. I think a trip to New York is in order. As much as I loathe the idea of contacting Reed Richards… the idea of the Alpha Omegas gaining control over Attilan frightens me even more.]" Maximus turns to the controlled Medusa and Karnak. "[I think I might have more use of you. Come.]"

Maximus the Mad, Medusa and Karnak escape from the strange stone chamber located deep in the southern Jungles of Wakanda. Maximus smiles a sinister grin as he leaves the remaining captured Inhuman Royal Family in the stone chamber. He knows that if he plays this right… he'll shall claim the throne for his own… "[Maximus the Saviour!]" he shouts. Maximus likes the sound of that… it has a nice ring to his ears. Maximus continues to dream of his new title as the three of them hijack a turbojet from the hangar of the strange stone castle and escape from their would be prison.

11: 14 am. Pier Four. Hangar.

Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic, has lived up to his name once more. In a few minutes before the hour that he promised, he has assembled the rest of the Fantastic Four… all except the Human Torch! He is nowhere in sight. Mr. Fantastic wears his standard dark blue uniform, but on his wrists are two arm pads that house two compact high powered computers that are connected via a cord to Reed's hi-tech goggles. "My scanners are calibrated to the specific Psitronic frequency… and my goggles will give me continuous visual updates. Don't worry Ben, we'll get Alicia back."

"All of us but one! Where is that match stick?! It figures that we are ready ta go and he hasn't the decency to show up on time!" mutters Benjamin Grimm rather loudly. He slams one of his giant orange fists into the other. "When I get my hands on that kid…"

"You'll do what?" asks the Human Torch as he lands with an elegant guest in his arms. "I'm only a few minutes late. Sorry Ben but I had a passenger and I had to take it easy on the trip here." Johnny smiles at the beautiful A'kimba.

A'kimba stands tall in her elegant sandy brown dress that highlights her dark ebony body. She wears a series of green tiny beaded necklaces that complements her green earrings.. Her dark hair is tied in tight braids at the top of her head. Her face beams with joy. She was actually meeting her idols. Many a Wakandan know of the Fantastic Four's tales in their homeland. They are considered as respected guests. And here she was meeting them. "Oh thank you Johnny! This is like a dream come true. I'm meeting the Fantastic Four!"

Reed Richards stretches his way from across the room to greet Johnny Storm's guest, A'kimba. He goes to shake her hand… after Mr. Fantastic's arm has snaked around Sue and Ben. "Welcome. You must be Johnny's Wakandan friend."

"But I never mentioned her before, Reed?" asks a startled Johnny Storm. "How did you know?"

"Simple Johnny. I recognized her accent and deduced she was Wakandan." Reed continues his stretching to finally finish fully across the room to face Johnny. "The Wakandan vocal range is quite fascinating actually. Did you know that in the Wakandan language there are many…"

"Ya Reed. I agree." Johnny cuts off Reed's beginning of a linguistic lecture. He looks into Akimba's eyes and speaks softly, "Your voice always sounds like music to me."

"Sheesh, kid. Ya do have it bad for her. So less talkin' and lets get goin'!" The Thing starts walking towards the fantastic-car.

"Wait a minute, Ben!" shouts Johnny as he attempts to regain the spotlight. "I brought A'kimba cause I thought she could help us out by looking after Franklin while we go and rescue Alicia."

The depth of emotion in the last of Johnny's words keeps even Benjamin Grimm quiet. He knows that Johnny cared for Alicia at one time*… and caring for someone isn't something that leaves easily.

[*see Fantastic Four #300-357. Johnny and Alicia were married… okay so it was Lyja but for a while Johnny didn't know that]

Susan Richards stands next to Franklin. She brushes his hair back and kisses him on the cheek. "You be good. We'll be back as soon as we can. We'll bring Aunty Alicia with us also." Then Sue turns to her brother, Johnny and A'kimba. "That's kind of you to offer to baby-sit, but I also made prior arrangements…"

As if on cue…a tall muscular black man walks into the hangar. "Sweet Christmas! Its been a while since I've been in Fantastic Four company*. But you called and so I came. Power Man is always ready to help out old friends."

[*see Fantastic Four #169-170]

"Ah geez… its Power for hire Man or somethin'," grumbles the Thing. "Okay he's babysittin'. Fine. Let's get goin'!"

Power Man says nothing about the Thing's comments. He just stands still and crosses his arms.

The Fantastic Four all climb into their individual fantasticar compartments. This fantastic-car is a large smooth sleek bathtub/car design. It has low thick dark windshields. The Fantastic Four each have their ways of spending their last few minutes at Pier Four:

Reed studies the controls of the Fantasticar. He is programming the voyage into the fantasticar's onboard computers.

Sue sits in her seat and watches her son, Franklin. Sue speaks her last words to her son, "You be good. Mommy will be back soon."

Johnny fidgets in his seat. All the time he is staring at A'kimba. He raises his right hand in a gun formation and his hand quickly flames on. He points his finger towards A'kimba and a flaming heart pattern shoots out of his hand. With a wave of his hand, an arrow draws itself across the heart. Johnny winks at A'kimba.

The Thing just sits in his seat. He keeps clenching and unclenching his fists. He is lost in his own thoughts. 'Don't worry Alicia… we… I'm coming! I'll make whoever has you sorry that they took you away from me. That's a promise.'

With the Fantastic Four's last thoughts and good byes… the Fantasticar's open canopy comes to life and slowly raises until it forms a sleek dark opaque cover over all four compartments. The fantasticar is now ready for transatlantic and aquatic travel. The craft hovers off the ground with a soft cushion of compressed air. The Fantasticar slowly makes its way out of the hangar but once free… it quickly accelerates out of sight.

Power Man watches the Fantastic Four leave. "Good luck guys. Bring Alicia back."

A'kimba looks at Power Man. "I've heard of you. Aren't you are a hero for hire?"

"Normally. But right now I'm just a friend helping out other friends." Power Man walks over to Franklin. He puts his large hand on Franklin's shoulder. "How would you like to go hang out with me and my partner at the gym. He'll teach you some of those funky kung fu moves of his."

Franklin looks at the empty hangar for a second longer. He had watched his family leave to challenge the unknown once more. Franklin would normally be scared… but that voice on the other side is thanking him for sending the Fantastic Four. Franklin feels good that he has helped someone… that he has helped Marcia. He doesn't know why but he knows that is the name of the voice calling to him. Franklin looks up at Power Man. "Sure Uncle Luke. That sounds cool."

"Can anyone join this party?" asks Akimba.

"Sure. Anything you want, baby." smiles Luke Cage as he escorts Franklin and Akimba out of the hangar. 'Now I'll should tell Fist about this sometime soon.' thinks Power Man to himself.

The Nares Deep on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

The submerged Fantasticar glides through the ocean currents. Reed flicks a few controls and the vehicle's exterior lights dim. Soon Reed's scanners light up as they input the data from the Fantasticar's various sensors. Reed attaches a few small cables from his wrist computers to the ship's computers. He takes off his goggles and rubs his brow. "We are approaching a depth of 6900 metres below sea level. The water pressure at these depths would crush a normal vehicle… but the new Fantasticar seems to be holding up well."

Suddenly the Fantastic-car's sensors flare in sparks as they are overloaded. Reed Richards reacts instinctively. He disconnects his wrists computers from the onboard sensors. He then proceeds to work frantically in order to keep control of the ship. It begins to shake as if some unknown force was rocking the Fantasticar. Then as suddenly as the Fantasticar started to react…it is over and the ship drifts calmly in the ocean currents. Or that is what is thought until Reed studies his wrist computers and their own sensors. "Oh dear…"

"What was it, Stretch? What just happened?" asks the Thing. "This certainly wouldn't have happen if I was piloting." mumbles the Thing to himself.

Reed Richards studies his readouts. "My sensors now give us the readings of only 4500 metres below sea level. Even the current has shifted in directions. I do not believe we are where we were just a few minutes ago."

Then where or when are we, Reed?" asks Susan Richards.

"Lets take a look." Reed touches a few buttons and the dark opaque canopy shifts in colour and becomes transparent. "It is one sided only. We can see out but no one can see in…" Reeds words drift to silence as he sees the surrounding waters for the first time.

The surrounding water glisten and shines with many sparkling flashes. These flashes dance throughout the dark obsidian waters. They appear like twinkling stars in space. To add to the waters already mysterious nature… the Fantastic Four spot strange long thin eel-like creatures swimming by investigating the fantasticar.

"I'm only hypothesizing but I think we were caught in a spacial fold generator of some kind." comments Reed.

"How about that in English, Big Brain?" comments the Thing. He isn't happy about the current situation. He wonders if he is any closer to Alicia, or is he even farther away now. To make things worse for him… he had no idea which is the case.

"I think what Reed means is that we've just traveled from the Atlantic Ocean to some alien ocean," adds Johnny Storm.

"That's not just it… my sensors are picking up alien life readings several miles west of here. It doesn't match any of the known alien sensor readings in the computer. And one more thing... What ever these readings belong to… it is massive."

"Then we have to check it out! If there is any chance that Alicia is there… then we'll take it!" shouts the Thing with dedication in his voice. He wasn't about to abandon Alicia. He was ready to tear apart this whole new world to find her.

The Fantasticar dives westward through the alien obsidian ocean waters. Unknown to the Fantastic Four… those strange elongated eel-like creatures were becoming increasingly interested in the lights of the Fantasticar. The Fantasticar shudders as these eel-like creatures wrap their long and sturdy bodies around the hull. Their heads are orientated towards the Fantasticar's lights. Then the eyes of these sea creatures begin to glow.

"What's goin' on!" screams the Thing as the interior lights begin to dim.

"It's a power drain from somewhere. I think those giant eels are causing it." explains Reed. He looks up at the transparent canopy with the rest of the Fantastic Four. Reed but couldn't help but feel a little repulsed by the twisting bodies of the giant eels. He had never seen anything quite like it before. 'Certainly not from earth at least.' he thought.

And then the lights dim even further and finally go out and the Fantastic Four are left in the dark. Then the sounds of metal creaking haunts the darkness for all to hear. The Fantasticar are now smothered in these giant eels that are glowing with a soft light. The same light that the external lights now barely shine with. The giant eels writhe in pleasure as they feed off the fantasticar's energy. These giant electric eels never had a feast as rich as the Fantasticar before.

"What a revoltin' development!" curses the Thing as he sits in the darkness…

NEXT ISSUE: The Fantastic Four explore their new surroundings only to come face to face with Alicia's kidnappers! Franklin hangs out with Power Man, A'kimba and Iron Fist!

FANTASTIC FOUR FAN PAGE

Hey Tim! Great work buddy! While I'm a bit dissappointed that we haven't seen Dr. Doom in a cameo on his new world, everything else is perfect. Seeing Ben go into such a rage at Alicia's death was PERFECT. And Reed's intellect being accurately shown was a big plus. Keep up the great work friend!

TJB

Thanks TJ! As for Dr. Doom… I'm not saying you won't see a Dr. Doom tale… but I'm not concentrating on Dr. Doom all that much. I want to keep Dr. Doom as bit of a surprise… I might use him… I might not. ;-)

Hi Tim

this week-end I devoted some time to my MV1 readings (instead of putting out 4 new stories :] ) and I certainly couldn't miss your first FF work.

Thanks Alex. Blush. :)

A very good issue I have to add ... reading it I found myself enjoying almost every part of it, just at a plain emotional level ... and that means I REALLY liked it.

Even more blushing! :)

Now for some more specific comments ...

Most of the characters were correctly written, nicely done and having that sense of being persons and not mere actors of the comic scene.

Thanks Alex. I only hope that the characters seem real. That is the way I prefer to think of them when I write them. I like to think of them as being real.

I liked Reed's depiction. And Sue's too. (But here I found her at times too nice ... as I said I love "tough Sue", but she was still in character)

I prefer a more rounded Sue, but I'm not advocating for a weak Sue… not by a longshot. But I don't plan to take her near her extremes as when she was possessed by Malice. ;)

I toatlly loved the Torch scenes and A'kimba's character. I would have liked for the Torch to be tied to a heroine, one which he didn't date before, but I can buy this relationship, too. I think Marvel has too little inter-racial couples and this choice of partner could lead to interesting results.

Thanks again, Alex. I thought Johnny needed a new girl and then I said why not someone from Wakanda. Thus A'kimba was born. I wanted to bring portions of the Fantastic Four mythos into the stories… and there is no better place than Wakanda.

I liked the Ben's scenes as well ... but I think that the pregnancy issue was downplayed a little too much ... I don't think that Ben could discard that fact so easily, especially since it's unclear how that started.

As for Ben & Alicia's pregnancy… just cause he hasn't mentioned it doesn't mean he isn't thinking of it. I plan to explore this area between them. As for the origin of the pregancy… all will become clear soon enough.

The suspence about Alicia's whereabouts, the firefight, and the stunning conclusion with Franklin's statement were fine additions as well.

If you could give me a little more of "tough and expert Sue" I could really start flying around :)

Hmmm… who knows… "tough and expert Sue"… hmmm… :)

Now for the little criticism:

She-Hulk! Where is she? Maybe a few words to explain her absence would have been appropriated.

I hope this issue satisfied the She-Hulk request.

those little remarks about Sue and Ben.

Check.

... mmm ... nothing more

Okay.

Overall, a very good read! I trust you for bringing FF to new heights. I am decidedly happier with your grasp on them, judging with this issue.

Keep up the good work!

Bye ALEX

Tim,

Just read your first issue of FF and I really enjoyed it. I think it's your best MV1 work to date. I can't wait to see how it all plays out. Best of luck, I think it's pretty clear the FF are in good hands!

MBQ

Thanks Mark! That's high praise indeed! I only hope to make the Fantastic Four MV1's Greatest Super-hero Team! :)

Tim, you had some tough shoes to fill taking over from Mark. He wrote one of the best series in MV1 (up there in my mind with Crusaders and Seekers) and had done great stuff with the characters. You did a really nice job.

Thanks Randy! More high praise! I hope I keep such praise throughout my run.

I'm very curious about the Alicia Masters thing, and I think that plot seems so much more like an FF plot than the stuff we're getting in the Marvel title these days. You did a great job portraying the Thing's despair (although he sounds a bit too formal in his speech, such as saying "She is lost to me." Ben's a grunt, he should always talk like one, even in the depths of despair) and the Reed/Sue/Franklin family. I can really visualize Reed stretched throughout the interior of the shuttle he designed, and that scene was one of my favorites in the book.

I see the FF as explorers of the unknown. I hope to explore (no pun intended) this in my FF run . I hope to work on the Thing's speech patterns. As for his formal speech… blame my over zealous editing.

A'kimba (name sounds a little cliched to me for some reason, but it's a minor complaint) being from Wakanda is neat. I love that place, and love when people show up. Does this mean a Black Panther appearance in the future? I also like your flirtatious, cocky Johnny Storm.

Sorry that you thought the name was a little cliched. I hope that my characterization of her is anything but cliched. The FF have an unique mythos to explore and so I intend to do just that.

All in all, a really nice job. Keep 'em coming.

Randy

Thanks again Randy! I hope everyone enjoys the ride and oh what a ride it is going to be!